By Brian Hews
It appears that the November 5th election for three Hawaiian Gardens City Council seats is going to be a crowded affair based upon early interest by challengers who began the official nomination process this week to secure a place on the ballot with city officials.
Voters will be selecting three city council members that are currently being held by City Councilwoman Michi Oyama Canada, Councilman Reynaldo “Rey” Rodriguez and Councilman Barry Bruce.
All three incumbents have indicated that they will be seeking reelection and this week two of them, Canada and Rodriguez pulled their official nomination papers, along with at least four people who want to take their seats this fall.
City Clerk Sue Underwood told Hews Media Group-Community News on Wednesday that three challengers have started gathering the necessary 20 signatures on petitions to secure a place on the ballot. The challengers include Phil Ahn, Priscilla Kwan, and Valerie Mason.
Underwood also indicated that residents Mariana Rios and Adrian Avilar have scheduled appointments with her to pick up nomination packets.
Incumbent City Councilman Barry Bruce, who is a Pastor at the Way Out Ministries in Hawaiian Gardens is expected to seek another term on the city council, sources tells HMG-CN.
Underwood said that residents who want to run have until 5 p.m. on August 9 to complete the nomination process. If one of the three incumbents decides not to run, then a five day extension period will go into effect per California state election laws.
“We encourage anyone who wants to run, to please do so,” Underwood said, and that no filing fee is required to run. Underwood also said that a $600 deposit will be required by any candidate who wishes to have a statement placed in the official sample ballot that is sent to all registered voters in Hawaiian Gardens. The sample ballots will be printed in English, Spanish and Korean.
For more information please call the City Clerk’s Office at (562) 420 2641 ext. 251.
